SOUTH CANAAN — The Federal Bureau of Investigation is now investigating the death of a prison guard on Tuesday.

Eric Williams, 34, of Nanticoke, was stabbed and killed during an incident at the federal prison at South Canaan. The incident took place sometime before 10 p.m. Tuesday, though prison officials are not saying the exact time.

The incident happened when Williams was on duty in a housing unit at the prison. Prison officials said Williams was assaulted by an inmate who had made a weapon.

Williams was transported to a hospital in Scranton and pronounced dead at 11:30 p.m. An autopsy conducted by Dr. Gary Ross of the Lackawanna County Coroner's Office said Williams died from "a combination of blunt head and neck trauma and hemorrhage due to multiple stab wounds and cuts."

The prison spokesman said the case was immediately turned over to the FBI, which is customary for all incidents at federal prisons.

A spokesman from the FBI's office in Philadelphia said Wednesday they did not expect to release any information about the case. Instead, following the investigation, the information will be turned over to Heidi Havens, U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Pennsylvania.

At that point, the U.S. Attorney's office will then proceed with the case and file any charges.

The name of the inmate has not been released.

U.S. Attroney Heidi Havens said on Wednesday other than a brief statement released on Tuesday, they are releasing no other information about the case at this time.

The U.S. Attorney's Office issued the following statement Tuesday about the incident:

"The staff at the United States Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania extends its condolences to the family of Officer Williams, his coworkers and staff of the U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility at Canaan, Pennsylvania. This matter is under investigation by the FBI, with the cooperation and assistance of the Bureau of Prisons. Attorneys from the U.S. Attorney's Office have been assigned to the matter."

A memorial fund has been established for the corrections officer who was killed at the federal prison at South Canaan.

The Eric J. Williams Memorial Fund is accepting donations, according to correctional officer Bob Mooney who is helping to organize the fund.

Checks or money orders can be made in the name of the fund and sent to AFGE Local 3003, Box 578, Waymart, PA 18472.

Mooney said the money will be given to the family of Williams. He said the family has established a high school scholarship fund in memory of their son.